diff --git a/core/src/main/groovy/com/muwire/core/files/PersisterService.groovy b/core/src/main/groovy/com/muwire/core/files/PersisterService.groovy
index ede1fffc..ddb2c277 100644
--- a/core/src/main/groovy/com/muwire/core/files/PersisterService.groovy
+++ b/core/src/main/groovy/com/muwire/core/files/PersisterService.groovy
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ class PersisterService extends Service {
     }
 
     void load() {
+        Thread.currentThread().setPriority(Thread.MIN_PRIORITY)
+
         if (location.exists() && location.isFile()) {
             def slurper = new JsonSlurper()
             try {